So... I've been having some hot-in-traffic bike clutch issues... the hotter it gets, the harder it is to get it in gear. I've had other bikes with the same issue so nothing new to me. However, I have noticed an audible loudish click when I go from neutral to first. It always did that, so I have no frame of reference to know if that is normal for this bike. I only mention it because my bf asked if I had the clutch adjusted properly when he heard it click at a few stop lights. I went home and adjusted the clutch according to the manual and even lubed the clutch cable. It feels smooth as butter, except for the click. Is this normal? or do I have an issue that needs to be tended to?
My gs500 often makes clip. Sometimes it jerks going into neutral. Good clutch adjustment important. Good oil important. After oil change my noise disappears. Hope this is helpful for you.
I never really thought about it, but I believe mine clicks.. may be other bikes I am thinking of I will check mine tomorrow.
Is the oil full correctly?
Is the chain at proper tension while your on it?
Don't worry about it. These bikes make all kinds of racket. My 97 made the weirdest hammering noise when it would get really warm or when it was rather cool. Never once skipped a beat.
Easy way to check if your clutch is adjusted properly. Remember having a bicycle as a kid, and there would always be a little bit of "slop" in the brakes? Basically you'd pull the handle and there was no tension because the cable wasn't adjusted to the absolute tightest point. Well..
In this case, you want a very small amount of "slop" in the clutch cable. If you have constant tension it causes the clutch to not fully disengage. I forget what the manual says but I think it's right around 1/4" to 1/8".
Kijona that is good helpful post. I think clutch is where problem can be fixed. There are two places I adjust clutch cable. I adjust clutch cable at clutch lever on left side of my handlebar. And I make big cable adjustment at the end on the engine. I have CD book to show how. Advise you to get gs500 workshop book. Sometimes I put oil on cable at handlebar lever but my friend says that is stupid because cable has nylon inside but I don't know if that is true or not. So I just put oil into cable and it is smooth. Good luck with your big problem erika. And after oil change my clunk goes away. Maybe time for new oil erika?
Quote from: Erika on June 14, 2013, 09:35:46 PM
........................I went home and adjusted the clutch according to the manual and even lubed the clutch cable. It feels smooth as butter, except for the click. Is this normal? or do I have an issue that needs to be tended to?
What manual, owners or shop? Owners manual only shows cable adjustments but shop manual also shows pushrod clearance adjustment. Give your clutch a proper 3 point adjustment, it won't work right if pushrod clearance isn't properly set. Once done right you can go tens of thousands of miles with only freeplay adjustment at clutch lever. Both my 97 and 02 GSs came new with too much pushrod clearance. From shop manual:
http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GS500_clutch_adjustment1.jpg
GSJack that is a very good sketch diagram and I will do that clutch rod adjustment check. I have never done that before. I have adjusted the cable at both ends as I said before. My clutch is good with strong and progressive feel.
I had adjusted the trio according to the shop manual and changed the oil a couple of weeks ago, and it feels great. Accept for the click, but it sounds like it could be a normal sound for this bike. It was very easy to adjust everything when I did it... but I wanted to make sure I did it right, since it was the first time I adjusted everything (all 3) since I bought it.